UPDATE: Hunt On for Man Charged In Connection With Worcester Armory Theft

CRANSTON, RI—According to Daniel W. Martin, warden, former U.S. Army Reservist James Morales escaped New Year's Eve from the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls.

"On Saturday, Dec. 31 at approximately 11 p.m., it was determined through a facility count that Detainee Morales was not present in his cell," the warden indicated. "Preliminary investigation reveals that Detainee Morales was last seen during outside recreation."

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Detainee Morales or coming in contact with him should notify their local Law Enforcement agency or the US Marshals Service at 508-368-7300.

Morales escaped by climbing a basketball hoop and cutting through fencing, the warden said Monday.
Early New Year's Day, he was tracked to Attleboro, where a Massachusetts State Police K9 unit lost the scent.
Police believe he stole a green Chevy with Rhode Island plates from a Burger King in Attleboro. Authorities said Sunday night that they recovered the car, but did not say where. Reports Monday said the car was found in Framingham.

Warden Daniel W. Martin said Morales was found to be missing during a 10:30 p.m. inmate count, and video shows him escaping at 7 p.m.

Two correctional officers have been placed on paid leave, according to multiple reports.

Morales, a former Army reservist was arrested on Nov. 19, 2015, in connection with breaking in to the Lincoln Stoddard Army Reserve on Saturday, and stealing six rifles and 10 pistols that are valued at more than $1,000. He was awaiting a trial to be held in Massachusetts.

The 34-year-old was arrested on federal and state warrants and charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun and unlawful possession of firearms, reported CBS Local, which also reported that Morales faces child rape charges from earlier that year.

Authorities matched stains that were found near the weapons vault to Morales, who also wore a monitoring bracelet for child rape charges. Authorities surmise that he had cut the bracelet off after the theft, said CBS Local.

Per the U.S. Marshal's Office, "on Nov. 19, 2015, James Morales was arrested and charged in connection with the theft of 16 weapons from a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Worcester, Mass. He was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun, one count of unlawful possession of stolen firearms and one count of theft of government property."

Patch will update this story if more information becomes available.

Reporting by Margo Sullivan, Patch staff